Jet2holidays becomes UK’s second largest tour operator

Expansion into Birmingham Airport has helped boost Jet2holidays to become the UK’s second largest tour operator.

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Jet2 launch its operations at Birmingham Airport this spring

Jet2holidays is now the UK’s second largest tour operator

Its high position on the league table is revealed in the latest ATOL – Air Travel Organiser's Licence – data published by the Civil Aviation Authority.

In the 12 months to September 2018, the leading package holiday specialist is licenced to carry 2.94 million passengers, an increase of more than 660,000 passengers on the previous 12 months. According to Jet2, no other operator comes close to that growth.

It comes on the back of a major year for airline Jet2.com and its Jet2holidays tour operator sister business.

In March this year, the company launched its first flights and holidays from London Stansted and Birmingham Airports and has taken delivery of 16 of 34 brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft, with the final aircraft to be delivered in January 2019.

The Birmingham operation is now the base for four aircraft and 200 staff, and Jet2.com added 55,000 additional seats to its winter schedule from the airport last week in the wake of the Monarch collapse. Another two aircraft are set to increase its Birmingham fleet to six.

In June, the company also launched Jet2Villas, a brand new proposition offering villa holidays with all the benefits of a package holiday.

Chief executive Steve Heapy said: “This is great news for everyone associated with Jet2.com and Jet2holidays.

"There has been much written about the industry in recent times, but this goes to show what can be achieved through an unswerving focus on delivering the very best service for customers so that they enjoy a lovely holiday time and time again.

"With a committed team looking after our customers on their ATOL protected package holidays, and unique touches such as our free resort flight check-in service, we are looking ahead to the future with confidence.”